No unlawful structure or unlawful use of a structure,
lot or land existing on the effective date of this chapter shall be
deemed to be a nonconforming structure or use.
Any lawful use occupying any building, structure
or land at the time of the effective date of this chapter, or any
amendment thereto, and which, following such date, does not comply
with the use regulations of the district in which it is situated shall
be deemed to be a nonconforming use and may be continued in the building
or structure or on the land so occupied.
A nonconforming use shall not be changed to
another nonconforming use, extended or moved to any portion of the
building, structure or land not so occupied on the effective date
of this chapter, nor shall any building occupied by a nonconforming
use be reconstructed, structurally altered, restored or repaired to
an extent exceeding in aggregate cost 50% of the reproduction cost
of such building unless the use thereof is changed to a conforming
use.
A nonconforming structure that is, or is to
be, devoted to a conforming use may be reconstructed, structurally
altered, restored or repaired, in whole or in part, provided that
such action does not increase the degree of nonconformity thereof.
A nonconforming use, if changed to a conforming
use, shall not thereafter be changed back to a nonconforming use.
Whenever a nonconforming use has been discontinued for a period of
one year, such nonconforming use shall not thereafter be resumed.
A nonconforming use shall be deemed to have been discontinued after
it ceases operations for 12 consecutive months if such use occupies
a structure or six consecutive months if such use occupies land whereon
there is no consequential structure devoted to such use. For purposes
of this chapter, it shall make no difference whether cessation of
operations is voluntary or involuntary.
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to prevent
normal maintenance and repair of any building or the carrying out,
upon issuance of a building permit, of major structural alterations
or demolitions necessary in the interest of public safety. In granting
such a permit, the Building Committee shall state the precise reason(s)
why such alterations were deemed necessary.
